Endangered Species in Cambodia

Source: http://cambodia.panda.org/wwf_in_cambodia/endangered_species

Special thanks to: Samnang SAN Student of Faculty of Forestry, Royal University of Agriculture for providing Khmer names to some of the wildlife below.

Just 50 years ago, large herbivores like Banteng, Asian Elephant, and Eld’s Deer as well as predators like Indochinese tiger and leopard were so abundant in the Dry Forests of North and Northeast Cambodia that scientists compared this ecoregion to the savannas of East Africa. In the troubled decades that followed, however, habitat destruction and hunting greatly reduced animal numbers and diversity. Today, the largest intact dry forests in Indochina remain in north-eastern Cambodia in an area known as the Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL).

Cambodia large variety of habitats both on land and in water are home to a significant diversity of threatened wildlife species. Among mammals, wild cattle and deer species as well as predators like tiger and leopard still roam the remote forests of the Eastern Plains Landscape, while a small population of Irrawaddy Dolphin inhabits the Cambodian section of the Mekong River. Birds are equally plentiful - especially Cambodia's populations of large waterbirds in both forests and wetlands stand out as globally significant. The Mekong River is also home to several endangered and iconic fish and reptile species, and critically endangered Siamese crocodile have been observed in the Eastern Plains' Srepok River.

Irrawaddy Dolphin : ផ្សោត

The Irrawaddy is a shy, small dolphin that is dark grey in color with a pale underside, a small rounded dorsal fin, and a bluntly rounded head. The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin is the proud symbol of the Mekong River and its biodiversity. The Mekong River is one of the world’s most important remaining freshwater habitats for this species and supports the largest of the five remaining freshwater populations. Intensive conservation measures are needed to protect this highly vulnerable population from threats like disease, death in gillnets, or pollution. WWF is involved in the conservation of this iconic mammal as a member of the Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation Project.

Kouprey : ផ្ោព្រៃ

The Kouprey is a species of wild cattle endemic to Cambodia; its name is derived from Khmer and means Forest Ox. The Kouprey has probably always been rare, and the only significant scientific observation was made in 1957 when zoologist Charles Wharton studied and filmed the animal in the wild. Kouprey populations were heavily decimated by hunting and human disturbance, especially during the wars in Indochina, and no confirmed sightings have been made for several decades. The species is most likely extinct, but occasional skulls for sale in markets still keep some scientists hopeful. If Kouprey have indeed survived to this date, populations will be tiny and intensive conservation measures are needed to preserve their habitat.

Banteng : ទផ្សោង

Considered to be one of the most beautiful and graceful of all wild cattle species, the banteng is most likely the ancestor of Southeast Asia’s domestic cattle. In Cambodia, banteng populations have decreased dramatically by about 95% since the late 1960s. Today, Cambodia’s last globally significant population of several hundred individuals remains in the open and dry deciduous forests of Mondulkiri’s Eastern Plains Landscape. This banteng population is under considerable pressure from hunters as is evident from confiscated banteng trophies and meat. Diseases and parasites from domestic and feral livestock pose further serious threats to banteng survival. As a result, WWF is enforcing a ban of all domestic cattle in the strict protection zones of Mondulkiri Protected Forest and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary.

Offender with 25kg of dried banteng meat after being arrested close to Trapeang Trach outpost in northeastern Cambodia's Mondulkiri Protected Forest by a WWF-supported patrolling team led by Ten Sera (standing, left), ranger with Forestry Administration.

Asian Elephants : ដំរ ី

In Cambodia, the largest population of Asian elephant probably occurs in the Eastern Plains Landscape of Mondulkiri province. Camera-trap photos and sign surveys indicate a healthy reproducing population However, given the encroachments of human settlement and agriculture into forest areas, human-elephant conflict is likely to become a significant problem in the future. WWF is currently undertaking a large-scale survey that will analyse DNA from elephant-dung to arrive at a clear estimate of elephant population size in the Eastern Plains.

Wild Water Buffalo : ររបីព្រៃ

Wild water buffaloes are larger in all proportions, better coordinated, quicker moving, and considerably more aggressive than their domestic cousins. Historically, they were distributed throughout much of mainland Southeast Asia and relatively commonly recorded in open forests of eastern Cambodia during the 1950s. However, the species has undergone a massive decline in the region and is now confined to a few scattered populations. One of the few remaining populations is in Mondulkiri province, in the Cambodian portion of the Lower Mekong Dry Forest Eco-region, where their presence has been confirmed by tracks and WWF camera traps.

Eld’s Deer : ផ្ររើសសបូវ

With their manes and bow-shaped antlers, Eld’s deer are a distinctive looking character species of the Lower Mekong Dry Forest Ecoregion. In contrast to their more common cousins, Sambar, Eld’s deer prefer Dry Deciduous Forests and, as a result of hunting, their population has decreased by 90% or more in recent decades. The Indochinese subspecies of Eld’s deer is considered highly threatened – besides two populations in Lao PDR, the species only remains in northern and easterns lowland forests in Cambodia where densities are worryingly low. As a result, the small remnant groups that are patchily distributed in Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape are highly significant for the survival of this beautiful species.

Hog Deer: ក្តាស់

Hog deer are relatively small deer with dark brown to yellow brown fur and white-tipped tails. They typically occur in riverine flooded grasslands, especially in areas with tall grasses where they like to forage on fresh shoots and resprouts. Hog deer had been thought extinct in Cambodia, but a small population has recently been rediscovered in Kratie province close to the established dolphin-viewpoints at Kampi-pool.

Tiger : ខ្លា ដំបង

Tigers still persist in protected areas in the heart of Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape including Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and Mondulkiri Protected Forest where they are the central focus of WWF’s conservation strategies. There is no exact figure of how many tigers remain in the landscape now or have lived there in the past.

Generally, there is significant potential to increase tiger-densities given the type of forest habitat present. WWF has observed an increase in tiger and prey signs over the last two years and photographed a tiger in Mondulkiri for the first time in November 2005 and another in 2007.

Leopard : ខ្លា រខិស

Recently, the number of leopards captured by camera traps has increased in the Dry Forests of Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape. This suggests that leopards are profiting from the increased availability of prey inside the protected areas. Patrols and law enforcement carried out by WWF field rangers in cooperation with government agencies are undoubtedly reducing the threats to wildlife from hunting. Direct observations of leopards have also become more common as individuals seem to lose the recent historical fear of human hunters. Increasing predator-populations also offer chances to attract international and national eco-tourists to experience the magnificent wilderness of Cambodia’s Dry Forests.

Fishing Cat : ខ្លា រតី

The fishing cat’s preference for wetland habitats has led to severe population declines thought to have exceeded 50% in the last 18 years. In Cambodia, fishing cats have only rarely been photographed by conservationists’ camera traps but are regularly confiscated from animal traders. The remaining population is thought to be small and effective steps are needed to protect these reclusive cats from indiscriminate snaring and trapping and their wetland habitats from modification, encroachment, and overfishing.

Clouded Leopard: ខ្លាៃៃរ

The clouded leopard is a reclusive, nocturnal cat that spends most of its time up in trees; its ecology is largely unknown. Even though there are only few observations in Cambodia, the presence of this enigmatic carnivore has been confirmed by camera traps in the Eastern Plains Landscape of Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province. Like most large cats, the clouded leopard is under threat due to hunting for the wildlife trade.

Asiatic Black Bear : ខ្លា ឃម្ំផ្ម្ ?

Asiatic black bears are rarely encountered in the wilds of Cambodia’s forests. Using camera traps as well as sign surveys, local conservationists have not been able to confirm the presence of this species. However, there are anecdotal reports from hunters and rangers of sightings in remote corners of Mondulkiri province. At any rate, there is no doubt that black bears are under serious threat due to over-hunting for use of body-parts in traditional medicine and food. Generally, bears are also likely to suffer from habitat loss and fragmentation due to logging, expansion of human settlements, and construction of roads.

Asiatic Black Bear : ខ្លា ឃ--ម្ំុំ្ ?

The sun bear is the smallest, rarest, and least well-known of all bear species. Sun bears are excellent climbers and spend considerable time in trees where they feed on sweet fruits, small rodents, birds, termites and other insects, and honey. The sun bear was formerly widespread in the lowland forests of South-East Asia but has disappeared from most of its former range in recent decades. In Cambodia, sun bears are still found in few protected areas in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri provinces. Within the Eastern Plains Landscape, WWF camera traps have documented the sun bear’s presence in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and Mondulkiri Protected Forest. Like other bears in Asia, sun bears are highly threatened because of their continued use in traditional medicine.

Dhole : ឆ្កែចចរ?

Dhole is a species of wild dog that has declined dramatically across its extensive range. It is now classified as a globally endangered species with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remaining. In Cambodia, dholes occur in both protected areas co-managed by WWF in the Eastern Plains Landscape. Competition and disease transmission from domestic dogs are a threat to this species, which is why WWF-Cambodia is enforcing a rigorous “no dogs”-policy in the strict protection zones of its protected areas.

Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon: ផ្ោចថ្ពាល់ផ្លឿង

The yellow-cheeked crested gibbon is one of six species of crested gibbons, all of which have suffered from accelerating declines throughout their range, mostly due to perceived increases in the level of exploitation. Yellow-cheeked crested gibbons occur in northeastern Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and southern Laos, with Cambodia probably containing the majority of these individuals. In the Eastern Plains Landscape of Mondulkiri, a recent survey found Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary to hold the second largest number of these gibbons in Cambodia after Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area. Another endangered species of gibbon, the pileated gibbon (Hylobates concolor), inhabits Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia west of the Mekong, where Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains are home to the world’s largest population.

Black-shanked Douc: ??

(បបើបោក诒នកណាស្គា ល់ប្ម ោះសត្វបនោះជា徶ស្គខ្មមរសូមបមត្តា ជួយប្រាប់ដល់បយងើ មញ្ុំបោយានស្គា ល់ផង ត្តមរយៈ email បនោះ៖

[email protected] បយងើ មញ្ុំសូម诒រគញណទញកជាមញន)

The black-shanked douc is one of the most striking primates with its distinctive black hind limbs and contrasting grey body and bluish face. Cambodia’s province of Mondulkiri probably holds the largest population of black-shanked douc in the world: In Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area alone, 42,000 individuals have been estimated to occur with additional smaller populations in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Mondulkiri Protected Forest, all within the Eastern Plains Landscape. Remnant populations also persist in southern Vietnam, although totaling less than 1000 animals. Another endangered species of douc, the red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) has recently been confirmed from Cambodia’s Ratanakiri province, but the extent of this species’ distribution in Cambodia is still to be determined. All species of douc are endemic to Indochina and contribute to the outstanding biodiversity value of the region.

(German’s) Silver Langur: ស្វារាម

Germain’s silver langurs are slender monkeys restricted to declining populations in Thailand and Indochina. The adults’ fur is an elegant silvery grey but young silver langurs are a distinctive ginger-orange. These langurs inhabit semi-evergreen and evergreen forest as well as forests along rivers. While localized and rare throughout most of their range, germain’s silver langurs are still reasonably common in Cambodia, and may be the most common primate in some areas of Mondulkiri’s Eastern Plains Landscape. This species is estimated to have declined by more than 50% in recent decades, and its continued survival relies on protection from hunting for subsistence use and traditional “medicine” as well as from habitat loss.

(Pygmy) Slow Loris: 讶ញី

Pygmy lorises have recently been confirmed to occur within Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary in Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape. They are a species of primate endemic to Vietnam, Lao PDR, southern China, and eastern Cambodia. Due to their nocturnal, highly cryptic nature, not much is known of their ecology. However, lorises are hunted opportunistically by indigenous Bunong for use in traditional medicine. The species also seems to be the most common mammal used in traditional Khmer medicines. Protected areas in eastern Cambodia, like Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, are thus likely to be important areas for the conservation of pygmy loris.

Dried slow loris for use in traditional "medicine" confiscated by an WWF-supported enforcement team in Sen Monorom, northeastern Cambodia.

(Sunda) Pangolin : ៃរងូល 䯒 䯒 䯒 䯒䯒 䯒 䯒䯒 䯒䯒 䯒 䯒䯒 䯒 䯒䯒 䯒 䯒䯒

Populations of Sunda Pangolin in Southeast Asia are thought to have been reduced by more than 50% in the last 15 years due to high levels of hunting for medicinal purposes. In fact, Pangolins are one of the most prized animals in the illegal wildlife trade. In the wild, the secretive Sunda Pangolins are rarely observed during their nightly forages for ants and termites. Clear population estimates are lacking, but Sunda Pangolins are confiscated regularly from poachers and thus must still occur over wide areas of Cambodia, especially in the Cardamom Mountains as well as in the forests of Mondulkiri’s Eastern Plains Landscape.

Yellow-headed Tortoise : អផ្្ើា រហ្ួាង?

The yellow-headed tortoise, also known as elongated tortoise, is the most commonly confiscated turtle and tortoise species in the Eastern Plains Landscape of Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province. These terrestrial reptiles are highly distinctive with their elongated shells and yellow heads and inhabit forests in South and Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, they have been recorded in the eastern and southwestern Mekong Plains as well as in the Cardamom Mountains. Yellow-headed tortoises are under intense pressure due to over-harvest for food and the pet trade. WWF-led enforcements teams are trying hard to reduce collection pressure on these endangered animals in the dry forests of Cambodia’s Eastern Plains Landscape.

Cambodia’s wetlands are home to other threatened turtle species as well, such as the endangered yellow- headed temple turtle (Heosemys annandalii) that was encountered on a recent WWF-led survey of the Mekong mainstream north of Kratie, as well as the critically endangered four-toed terrapin (Batagur baska). This national reptile of Cambodia was originally thought extinct in the country until a population was rediscovered in Koh Kong province in 1995. A protection and captive hatching program is now underway to save this tiny remnant population.

Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle : អផ្្ើា រ --?

Cantor’s giant softshell turtle is easily recognized by its broad head with eyes close to the tip of the snout giving it a frog-like appearance (hence the Khmer-name “Frog Head Turtle”). Cambodia is believed to hold a number of significant populations of this species in river swamps, estuaries, and mudflats in lowland areas. A recent WWF-led survey even confirmed breeding giant softshell turtles along the Mekong mainstream. As with most turtles, this species is under threat because it is easily collected and sold to local and international traders or consumed by hunters.

Mekong Giant Catfish : រតី殶ជ

Like the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Mekong giant catfish symbolizes the ecological integrity of the Mekong River and is one of the Mekong Ecoregion’s flagship species. As one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, it is endemic to the Mekong Basin and formerly inhabited long stretches of the Mekong River from southern Cambodia through Thailand to northern Lao PDR. For largely unknown reasons probably including overfishing and habitat degradation, population size of Mekong giant catfish has been steadily decreasing since the 1970’s, probably by over 80%. This trend may continue, especially with future dam projects threatening to block catfish migration routes as well as destruction of rapids and critical spawning habitat. Conservation efforts are currently underway to gain critical data on catfish distribution, migration, and spawning, to better manage catfish protected areas, as well as to reduce fishing pressure on giant catfish and raise public and media awareness.

Another species of giant catfish, the Chao Praya giant catfish or giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei), inhabits the Mekong Basin as well as its namesake Chao Praya Basin in Thailand. It grows to similar sizes as the Mekong giant catfish and is also critically endangered. The species’ population size is estimated to have decreased by 99% in recent decades most likely due to overfishing for food. Not much is known about this species’ status in the Mekong River’s central section where WWF’s work is centered, and more research is needed to develop an effective species management plan.

Giant Freshwater Stingray : បឆ្បល --?

The giant freshwater stingray is one of the largest and heaviest freshwater fishes in the world. Only described by scientists in 1990, the giant freshwater stingray occurs in several river systems in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. While Australian populations – which generally average much smaller than those in Southeast Asia – appear to be stable, giant freshwater stingrays have been under serious decline in Thailand, where they are now listed as critically endangered. In Cambodia, not much is known about this species’ status in the Mekong River, and more research is needed to develop an effective species management plan. As a benthic feeder foraging on the river bottom, these stingrays are especially vulnerable to increasing siltation due to human activity as well as to isolation of reproductive subpopulations through construction of large- scale hydropower dams.

Giant Ibis: រតយ៉ង

The giant ibis is critically endangered with just a tiny declining population as a result of habitat loss, hunting, disturbance and lowland deforestation. Nowadays, isolated breeding populations only persist in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri province where, with a bit of luck, giant ibis can be encountered at the dry forest’s many watering holes within the Eastern Plains Landscape. This ibis has recently been declared Cambodia's national bird, and conservation efforts are crucial to its protection.

White-Shouldered Ibis: រតយ៉ងចងែរំ -ស

Less than 500 mature white-shouldered ibis remain in the wild today, around 400 of these in northern and eastern Cambodia with two small additional populations in southern Lao PDR and on Kalimantan, Indonesia. Historically, white-shouldered ibis were distributed patchily but widespread throughout Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, as well as parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. However, the species has declined dramatically in the 20th century as a result of deforestation, drainage of wetlands, hunting, and disturbance. In Cambodia, the species strongholds lie in Siem Pang district, Stung Treng province and along the Mekong River mainstream between Kratie and the Lao border. Recent estimates led by WCS and WWF show these populations to be of global significance for the survival of this species with estimates of more than 100 individuals for each area. Small numbers of white-shouldered ibis have also been observed regularly at watering holes in the Dry Forests of Mondulkiri’s Eastern Plains Landscape where they probably breed.

Greater Adjutant: តាដរ់

Greater adjutants are large and distinctive storks that use tropical wetlands to feed on small aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Like their African cousin, the marabou stork, greater adjutants will also eat carrion and are known to scavenge at human refuse and carcass dumps. Probably due to direct exploitation, particularly at nesting colonies, as well as habitat destruction and over-exploitation of wetlands, the species has undergone a massive decline in the first

half of the 20th century. Besides the species’ stronghold in northeast India, Cambodia is the only place in the world where greater adjutants still breed. While two thirds of the Cambodian population congregate in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, a few tens of pairs also persist in areas of dry forest in the northern plains as well as possibly along the Mekong mainstream north of Kratie. Strict protection of nesting sites and enforcement of waterbird conservation legislation is needed to protect this species from threats of chick and egg collection and other forms of disturbance.

Lesser Adjutant: តា្ត --?

Closely related but somewhat more common, the lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) also inhabits Cambodian wetlands around the Tonle Sap and in the northern and eastern dry forests. In Mondulkiri Protected Forest within the Eastern Plains Landscape, lesser adjutants are regularly observed in the forest’s many trapeang (watering holes), but small numbers of greater adjutant may also be present in the area.

Sarus Crane: ផ្ររៀល

The sarus crane is the tallest flying bird in the world with a standing height of nearly 1.6m. The Indochinese subspecies has declined dramatically, and less than 2000 birds are now confined to Cambodia, extreme southern Laos, southern Vietnam, and Myanmar. While education and awareness campaigns together with stronger law enforcement in key sites seem to have lowered threats in breeding areas, these magnificent birds continue to be threatened by collection of both eggs and adults for food and trade.

Kampong Trach Important Bird Area (IBA) has finally been designated as Cambodia’s second Sarus Crane reserve. On 6 January 2011, Prime Minister Hun Sen signed a sub decree to establish the Anlung Pring Management and Conservation Area for Sarus Crane and Other Birds located in Kampong Trach District, Kampot Province. This signing represented the culmination of consultative and bureaucratic process that began in 2006.

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/01/government-of-cambodia-declares-new-sarus-crane-reserve/

White-winged Duck: --?

The white-winged duck is a secretive, mostly nocturnal duck that prefers standing and slow-flowing wetlands in evergreen, deciduous or swamp forests, where it depends on holes in old trees for roosting and nesting. These preferences have led to a dramatic population decline due to destruction, degradation, and disturbance of suitable riverine forest habitat. Only 1,000 individuals are estimated to remain today, and these small and highly fragmented populations are highly vulnerable to extinction. In Cambodia about 100 individuals persist in scattered locations, most often inhabiting seasonal watering holes (trapeang) and pools in rivers (anlong) within Semi-Evergreen and Evergreen Forest. This species was recently camera- trapped from Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and a small, though significant, population .is likely to occur along rivers within evergreen forest patches. Masked Finfoot: --?

Masked finfoots are very shy aquatic birds with long necks and tapered bills. Superficially, they may appear like a cross between a duck and a rail and are in fact related to cranes and rails. Masked finfoots are found on streams, slow-flowing rivers, creeks, ponds, and lake edges in lowland forest and mangroves. Throughout Cambodia there are few observations of these very secretive birds. Population estimates are therefore hard to produce, but undisturbed stretches of the Tonle Srepok and other large rivers in the Eastern Plains are ideal habitats for this elusive species which has been recorded twice from Mondulkiri Protected Forest. Globally, populations of masked finfoot are in steep decline as a result of loss and degradation of wetlands and lowland forest.

Green Peafowl: ផ្ក្តោរ

Green peafowl are probably the most iconic birds of Cambodia – their beauty has turned them into prestigious imperial pets in the world's royal palaces for centuries. Once common throughout the wooded lowlands and lower hills of Southeast Asia, green peafowl have undergone a rapid decline in recent decades. In Indochina just a few populations remain confined to Cambodia’s North and eastern provinces and adjacent areas of Vietnam. Because of its attractive appearance, the green peafowl still faces the threats of hunting and collection for feathers and the pet trade, and strict conservation measures are needed to ensure their survival.

Vultures: តា្ត

Globally significant populations of three species of critically endangered vultures still persist in northern and north-eastern Cambodia, red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), and slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris). These species have undergone dramatic declines of 95-99% on the Indian subcontinent due to the poisoning by the livestock-drug Diclofenac ingested from animal carcasses. Though this drug appears not in use in Southeast Asia, populations have decreased there as well, most probably because of a decrease in food availability due to shrinking wild ungulate populations. The remaining populations are very small, numbering a few hundred individuals at most. Nesting populations in Cambodia are supported by regular supplemental feedings of domestic cattle carcasses through a joint monitoring effort of WWF, WCS and BirdLife International. Because of the absence of Diclofenac, Southeast Asian vulture populations are of critical importance to the global survival of these three species.

Red-headed Vulture White-rumped Vulture Slender-billed Vulture